Paper roll and spindle ejection device

ABSTRACT

A paper roll-spindle ejection device can be operated manually by one hand and includes a mounting plate for securing the device relative to a paper dispenser or paper roll wall mounting. An actuator tab is hinged to the mounting plate and carries two fingers. These fingers are hinged on the tab and extend into the space between the spindle and the otherwise contiguous surface of the dispenser. By pressing the tab, the fingers compress the spindle and urge the spindle and empty core of the paper roll out of the dispenser.

This invention relates to an ejection device for empty paper rolls, andmore particular, to an ejection device which facilitates ejection of anempty toilet paper roll from a wall mounting.

As is known, various devices have been used to facilitate the removal ofan empty toilet paper roll from a wall mounting or from a dispenser.However, in many cases, the devices have been rather complicated and/orexpensive due to reliance on eject mechanisms requiring articulatedlinkages. Also, in many cases, these devices have not been readilyusable with a typical wall mounting in which a paper roll is mounted ina recessed condition.

As is known, compressible spindles are frequently used with a recessedmounting in order to mount a paper roll in place. While various deviceshave also been known for compressing such spindles in order to permitremoval, the devices have usually been cumbersome. For example, oneknown proposal is to use a wire clip on one end of a compressiblespindle which projects from a recessed mounting when the spindle and anempty roll is to be removed. When the roll is empty, the clip is to bepressed as a lever against the wall to compress the spindle and,thereafter, move the spindle from the wall recess. However, duringemptying of the roll, such a clip may well project from the spindle andmay cause injury. Further, continued use of such a clip may well deformthe clip about the wall. As a result, the entire assembly of spindle andclip would eventually require replacement.

In many of the above cases, the devices proposed for removing an emptytoilet paper roll from a wall mounting would be particularly difficultfor youngsters and senior citizens to use, and especially peoplesuffering from infirmities such as arthritis.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an ejectiondevice for paper rolls which is of simple construction.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ejection device forempty paper rolls which can be easily mounted in place.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ejection device ofrelatively inexpensive construction.

It is another object of the invention to provide a paper roll ejectiondevice which can be mounted adjacent a recessed wall mounting withoutthe need of altering the mounting or roll spindle.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ejection devicewhich may be manipulated with one hand.

Briefly, the invention provides an ejection device for ejecting a paperroll and spindle from a mounting such as a wall mounting. The device isparticularly useable with a longitudinally compressible spindle which isrotatably mounted in the wall mounting. To this end, the ejection deviceincludes a mounting plate for securing the device to the mounting, a tabwhich is pivotally mounted on the mounting plate and a pair of spacedapart fingers mounted on the tab which extend substantiallyperpendicularly to the mounting plate.

The mounting is generally of a recessed type which includes a pair ofoppositely disposed recesses to receive trunnions of the spindle. Theejection device is mounted astride the spindle with the mounting platesecured to the mounting by means of an adhesive or other securing means.The tab projects from the mounting plate at a slight inclined angleoutwardly of the mounting while the fingers extend between the spindleand the mounting astride one of the spindle trunnions.

When a paper roll has been emptied, the tab of the ejection device ispressed towards the mounting plate so that the two fingers pivot towardthe spindle to compress the spindle. Continued pressing on the tab andcontinued pivoting of the fingers permits the fingers to move into theemptied core of the paper roll while further compressing the spindle.Thereafter, once the trunnion of the spindle has moved out of the recessof the mounting, the spindle slides along the fingers out of themounting along with the core. During this latter time, a snap-actioneffect occurs to cause the spindle and emptied core to be popped out ofthe mounting to such an extent that the spindle and core can be easilygrasped and removed.

In order to introduce a fresh paper roll, the fingers of the ejectiondevice are rotated against the wall of the mounting and the spindleintroduced in a conventional manner.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an ejection device of theinvention mounted in place with a full roll of paper in a recessed wallmounting;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the ejection device withshowing an empty paper roll core and spindle in an ejected condition;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the ejection device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a part cross-sectional view of compressible roll ofFIG. 1 in relation to the ejection device; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of the ejection device with an ejectedpaper roll core shown in section.

Referring to FIG. 1, the injection device 10 is mounted to an outsidesurface 11 of a toilet paper mounting 12 of a type which forms a recesswithin a wall and which allows a full roll of paper 13 to project fromthe recess.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the ejection device 10 includes a means,such as a mounting plate 14 for fixedly securing the device 10 to themounting surface 11 for example by means of an adhesive such as an epoxycement, or other suitable mounting means. In addition, the device 10includes a tab 15 hinged to the plate 14 and a pair of fingers 16, 17.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tab 15 is hinged to the mounting plate by meansof a hinge pin 18 which passes through suitable interengaging ringportions on the mounting plate 14 and tab 15. In addition, the tab has abifurcated section forming a pair of ears 19. The fingers 16, 17 arehinged to the respective ears 19 by suitable hinge pins 20. The upperfinger 16 is of shorter length than the lower finger 17 and has across-section which tapers in the manner of a wedge toward the free end.In addition, the upper surface 21 near the end portion of the finger 16tapers downwardly at an incline so as to form a cam surface for purposesas explained below. The lower finger 17 is likewise tapered incross-section in the manner of a wedge towards the free end.

Referring to FIG. 4, the roll of paper 13 includes a core 22 on which aweb of paper 23 is rolled in conventional fashion. The paper roll 13 ismounted on a longitudinally compressible spindle 24 having a pair oftrunnions 25 each of which is located within a recess 26 of the wallmounting 12. In addition, a spring 27 is located within the spindle 24in order to bias the two telescoping portions of the spindle 24 awayfrom each other. As shown, the two fingers 16, 17 of the ejection device10 straddle the trunnion 25 at one end of the spindle 24.

As shown in FIG. 4, when in place, the ejection device 10 has themounting plate 14 secured to the surface 11 of the mounting 12, forexample, by means of a suitable adhesive 28. In addition, the fingers16, 17 are flat against the inside wall surface 29 of the mounting 12.The fingers 16, 17 are sized to project beyond the recess 26 astride thetrunnion 25 of the spindle 24. In this position, the wedge-like surfacesof the fingers 16, 17 engage against the spindle 24 or may be slightlyspaced from the spindle. In addition, the two fingers 16, 17 are sizedto terminate within the plane of the core 22.

When in use, in order to remove the core 22 of an empty paper roll andthe spindle 24, the tab 15 is pressed manually as shown in FIG. 2towards the wall mounting 12. This causes the fingers 16, 17 to pivottowards the spindle 24 and, at the same time, to move into the interiorof the core 22. Movement of the upper finger 16 into the core 22 isfacilitated by the cam surface 21 and the narrowed terminal end of thefinger 16. As this terminal end initially moves into the core 22, thecore begins to slide on the cam surface 21 while being raised slightly.At the same time, the lower finger 17 moves into the interior of thecore 22. During this time, the fingers 16, 17 compress the spindle 24.Continued movement of the fingers 16, 17 causes the trunnion 25 to moveout of the recess 26 and, thereafter, causes the spindle 24 to slidealong the surfaces of the fingers 16, 17 in a direction out of themounting 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). After the trunnion 25 has cleared therecess 26 and the spindle 24 has moved to some degree along the fingers16, 17, a snap action effect occurs. At this time, the spindle 24 androll core 22 pop out of the wall mounting 12.

During the time that the spindle is popped out of the wall mounting 12,the fingers 16, 17 pivot outwardly of the mounting to facilitateejection of the core 22 and spindle 24.

In the event that the core 22 and spindle 24 do not pop away from themounting 12, a condition may arise as shown in FIG. 5. In thiscondition, the spindle 24 may be slid out of the core 22 and then thecore 22 manipulated out of the mounting 12 off the fingers 16, 17.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ejection device 10 also includes a means forlimiting pivoting of the finger 16, 17 on the tab ears 19 in a directionaway from the spindle 24, for example, the means may be in the form ofcam surfaces 30 on the rear of each finger 16, 17 which engage againstthe ears 19 to stop pivoting. Alternatively, or in addition, similarstop surfaces may be formed on the extension 30 of each ear 19 withinthe bifurcated portions of the finger 16, 17 to act as abutments tolimit rotation of the finger 16, 17 on the tab 15 in the direction ofthe wall 29 of the mounting 12. In this way, the finger 16, 17 may belimited to rotate through a total angle of about 90° relative to the tab15.

The inclination of the vertical surface, as viewed in FIG. 3, of thefinger 16, 17 engaging the spindle 24 serve to minimize the contactsurface between the fingers 16, 17 and spindle 24. This reduces thefriction which might otherwise unduly restrain rotation of the paperroll 13.

When a roll of paper 13 is to be placed in the mounting 12, the spindle24 is inserted inside the paper core 22. Thereafter, with the finger 16,17 of the ejection device 10 flat against the wall 29 of the mounting 12(as in FIG. 1), the spindle 24 is compressed and the trunnions 25 guidedinto the respective recesses 26 in the usual manner. During this time,the spindle 24 may slide along the fingers 16, 17 until the trunnion 25pops into place in the respective recess 26.

The invention thus provides an ejection device which provides for easyremoval of an empty paper roll from a recessed wall mounting. To thisend, removal may be effected simply by the use of finger pressureexerted at an exterior surface of the mounting rather than from within.Further, the invention provides an ejection device which can be readilymounted on existing equipment, particularly of the recessed type. Inaddition, the ejection device may be mounted on a stand-off type ofpaper holder. The manner of securing the ejection device to a wallmounting may be effected in various manners. For example, adhesives maybe used to secure the mounting plate in place or screws or bolts may beused to mechanically secure the mounting plate in place.

The invention further provides an ejection device which may bemanufactured and assembled in a relatively inexpensive manner. To thisend, the ejection device may be made of metals or plastics.

In addition, should the ejection device become damaged, the device maybe readily removed and replaced by a new ejection device in a relativelysimple manner without any need to modify the spindle for the paperrolls.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ejection device for ejecting a paper roll andspindle from a mounting havingfirst means for fixedly securing saiddevice relative to the location of a paper roll and spindle positionedin the mounting; actuator plate means pivotally affixed to saidmounting; and a pair of fingers pivotally attached to said actuatorplate means for pivoting therewith, said fingers being disposed inspaced relation to each other to straddle a trunnion of the spindle andto be interposed between the side of the spindle and a surface of themounting.
 2. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidactuator plate means comprises a tab portion hinged to said first meansand a bifurcated extension extending from said tab portion, saidextension having said pair of fingers pivotally attached thereon.
 3. Anejection device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said fingers isof decreasing thickness in a direction away from said extension todefine a cam surface facing the spindle.
 4. An ejection device as setforth in claim 1 wherein the uppermost of said fingers has a chamferedupper edge for sliding of a core of the paper roll thereon duringpenetration of said uppermost finger into the core of the paper rollduring ejection.
 5. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1 whichfurther has means to limit pivoting of said fingers on said extension ina direction away from the spindle.
 6. An ejection device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein at least one of said fingers has a length whereby theend thereof, most inwardly disposed, is located within the projectedplane of a core of the paper roll.
 7. An ejection device as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said one finger has a chamfered edge whereby contactwith the core of the paper roll is avoided during ejection.
 8. Anejection device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the other of saidfingers has a length whereby the end thereof, most inwardly disposed, islocated beyond the edge of the spindle in proximity thereto, whereby thespindle and the core are urged outward from the dispenser duringejection.
 9. An ejection device for a paper roll mounted on a rotatablespindle within a mounting, said device includinga mounting plate, a tabpivotally mounted on said mounting plate, and a pair of spaced apartfingers hingedly mounted on one end of said tab and extendingsubstantially perpendicularly of said mounting plate.
 10. An ejectiondevice as set forth in claim 9 which further includes an adhesive layeron one side of said mounting plate for securing said plate to themounting.
 11. In combination,a wall mounting; a longitudinallycompressible spindle rotatably mounted in said mounting; a paper rollhaving a core mounted on said spindle; an ejection device for ejectingsaid spindle and core from said mounting after emptying of said paperroll, said device including a mounting plate, a tab pivotally mounted onsaid plate, and a pair of fingers mounted on said tab and extendingbetween said spindle and said mounting to compress said spindle uponpivoting of said tab towards said mounting plate; and means securingsaid mounting plate to said mounting.
 12. The combination as set forthin claim 11 wherein said wall mounting includes a pair of oppositelydisposed recesses and said spindle has a pair of oppositely disposedtrunnions each received within a respective recess; and wherein saidpair of fingers straddle one of said trunnions.
 13. The combination asset forth in claim 12 wherein said fingers are hingedly mounted on saidtab and said ejection device further includes means for limitingpivoting of said fingers on said tab in a direction away from saidspindle.